War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

FCM.36

2022-04-16T19:14:11Z

U104293991: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_fcm_36
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Light support tank FCM.36) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. Though affectionately nicknamed the "Cone" due to the turret's shape. The FCM.36 was removed as a researchable vehicle from the main tech tree during [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]] after the ammo update that rendered its armament impotent, though it is still unlockable after reaching rank II French ground vehicles.

Generally speaking, what used to be the main reason you'd play the FCM.36 is so it can unlock better vehicles like the [[AMR.35 ZT3]] to have better firepower at the rank. Bearing the awful [[SA18 L/21 (37 mm)|37 mm SA18 L/21]] cannon as the main armament with 40 mm of armour all around and bad mobility, this tank resembles the [[H.35]] in many ways. However, the FCM.36 does have well-sloped armour for the rank to be a tad useful during long range engagements, but the underperforming gun makes the FCM.36 act more like a shield rather than a spear.

Compared to the [[H.35]], the {{PAGENAME}} features a design with "better" armour and a more powerful engine, bringing the power ratio to a more manageable 12.4 HP/ton. With wider tracks than the H.35, this tank feels faster than other BR 1.0 French tanks. It turns quite smoothly and reaches its top speed fairly easily on road. 40 mm all around is enough to survive incoming rounds at long distances (~ 500+ m) but its bad angling makes it unreliable at close range, whereas your gun enters its actual combat ranges. Keeping the awful SA18 L/21 canon as the main armament, this gun is what makes an otherwise good tank so bad as it is. As the Devblog claims: "Wait Until You See The Whites of Their Eyes!", you will have to get up close and personal with this tank in order to penetrate another tank. With -17° of gun depression, this is actually a depressing gun.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 40 mm (25-37°) ''Front plate'' 40 mm (71°) ''Upper glacis'' 40 mm (25°) ''Lower glacis'' || 20 mm (45°) ''Top quarter (sponson)'' 8 mm (45°) ''Radiator grille'' 20 mm (0-8°) + 20 mm (43-45°) ''Upper quarter'' 20 mm (0-8°) + 20 mm (43-45°) + 20 mm (41°) ''Lower quarter'' 20 (0°) + 20 mm (36-41°) ''Bottom quarter'' || 20 mm (50-65°) ''Upper glacis'' 8 mm (65°) ''Radiator grille'' 20 mm (30-65°) ''Lower glacis'' || 15 mm (89°)
|-
| Turret || 40 mm (24-71°) ''Turret front'' 20 mm (4-45°) ''Gun mantlet'' 40 mm (18°) ''Cupola'' || 40 mm (12-28°) || 40 mm (36°) || 15 mm (77-89°)
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
* Belly armor is 12 mm thick.
* Turret ring is 34 mm thick.
* Gun barrel is 10 mm thick plus a small 25 mm thick sleeve.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 163|rbMinHp= 93}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|SA18 L/21 (37 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SA18 L/21 (37 mm)|37 mm SA18 L/21]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 102 || rowspan="2" | -17°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Shoulder || 13.3 || 18.5 || 22.4 || 24.8 || 26.4 || rowspan="2" | 4.03 || rowspan="2" | 3.56 || rowspan="2" | 3.28 || rowspan="2" | 3.10
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 8.3 || 9.8 || 11.9 || 13.2 || 14.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Mle1937 || APCR || 36 || 33 || 24 || 16 || 8 || 5
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| Mle1937 || APCR || 600 || 0.5 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''102''' || 38 ''(+64)'' || N/A || Yes
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* The visual discrepancy concerns the number of shells per rack:
** Rack 1 is modeled as 60 shells but contains 65 shells.
** Rack 2 is modeled as 42 shells but contains only 37 shells. The shells in excess remain visible, so the rack 2 is never empty.
* As they are modeled by sets of 5, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire all shells in the set.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,000 (150) || 551 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

== Usage in battles ==

'''Bullet magnet''':

Sit down in an open field, angle yourself and stay at a good distance (500+ m) from any threat. Watch enemy shells ricochet of your armour, spot enemies for the team. Whenever a potent gun comes your way, '''flee''' and hope not to get shot at. Blind such big guns with your good MAC 31 coaxial machine gun and attempt a few shots on the move (big guns generally means poor armour at this BR).

If you intend to play in RB or SB, use brush or other objects to obscure your vehicle's outline, so that the enemy doesn't entirely know what you are, and therefore have a chance of not taking shots at your weak points such as your gun mantle or driver port.

One notable recent change is that due to the new volumetric shells, it is nearly impossible to hit the FCM.36's vulnerable turret ring. In addition, it is much harder to actually damage anything from shooting through the weak spot on the mantlet; The commander's right side is protected by the large drum of the MAC 31, and hits to his left will now often hit the breech. This makes the FCM much more well protected. Shots that penetrate will usually be absorbed by various parts inside the turret.

'''"Brawler":'''

''Never'' engage an enemy upfront: assist your allies in flanking manœuvres and don't bother stealing a score since it's all you can get with such a poor cannon. Feel free to turn you back anytime and flee when allies are lacking, go find friends and act as a bullet magnet for them as they attempt to flank enemies.

'''Not the size that matters its the technique'''

In the right hands, this tank can be used correctly to a degree. Practice with the gun along with knowledge of enemy armour, it can pen most enemy vehicles but anything between Rank II tanks and Rank IV tanks is nearly impossible to pen. Given enough practice though, MBTs can be killed with at least 5 shots to the engine. Shoot from the rear ''Always and at All Costs,'' The Tailpipes and Rear Vents are the only places you can penetrate on most tanks past Rank II and you should be prioritizing engine shots.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent frontal armour with good sloping
* -17° of gun depression angle
* Turret is 40 mm thick all-around
* Shoulder stabiliser makes stop-and-shoot tactic easier

'''Cons:'''

* Very bad penetration power
* Very poor mobility:
** Weak engine
** Slow top speed
** Bad reverse speed : -3 km/h
* Cannot angle properly without exposing a flat surface
* Only 2 crew members, cramped and sitting in line

== History ==

In 1934, the FCM company received an order from the French army to design a modern tank for their light tank regiments. FCM was an experienced tank manufacturer, having proved themselves with work on previous projects (such as the Char 2C and Char B1), and quickly developed a new light tank design. Just over a year after the initial wooden mockup was presented and approved by the Army, the first prototype was tested in April 1935. During the one year testing period, multiple changes were made to make the vehicle more reliable, lighter, and better protected.

In July 1936, the FCM 36 was declared the best of three competing vehicles (which included the Hotchkiss H35 and Renault R35), although all three vehicles were still produced. But due to the Rhineland crisis in May 1936, the FCM company received orders for 100 of the FCM 36 tanks before it was even proclaimed the winner of the competition. Production of the FCM 36 did not begin until 1937, after tests of an improved version failed to produce the desired results. The first FCM 36 tanks left the factory floor in May 1938, and joined the ranks of the Army the following year. After the initial order of 100 vehicles was fulfilled, production was discontinued in favour of the Char B1, (also manufactured by FCM).

During the Invasion of France in 1940, the 100 FCM 36s in service with the French army saw limited success against the latest German armour—most notably the Panzer III. Although both vehicles offered similar overall performance, long tank battles against the Panzer III often resulted with neither vehicle able to achieve a fatal blow against the other. Unfortunately, the welds of the FCM 36's heavily angled and complex armour would eventually break from extensive and repeated battle damage, which left the Panzer III as the victor in the long run. During the German occupation, the FCM 36 was initially used by the German army as a training or reserve vehicle. In 1943/44, 37 captured FCM 36s were converted into tank destroyers or self-propelled artillery pieces.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5190-development-fcm-36-wait-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fr_fcm_36 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|e2ye8281W3I|'''What Is The Definition Of Insanity - {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''Virus''|rpvKhy22Erc|'''The Shooting Range #85''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:54 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|Gb_o29aOZHY|'''{{PAGENAME}}, French, Tier-1, Light Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|6_r3zPh8vjQ|'''{{PAGENAME}} Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5190-development-fcm-36-wait-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes-en|[Devblog] FCM 36 - Wait Until You See The Whites of Their Eyes!]]
* [[wikipedia:FCM_36|[Wikipedia] FCM 36]]
* [https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/france/FCM-36.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Char FCM 36]

{{France light tanks}}

J7W1

2022-04-16T19:06:54Z

U104293991: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=j7w1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]].

The J7W1 Shinden is a bomber interceptor designed to make quick work of raiding bomber aircraft. It has exceptional performance at altitude, more than exceptional armament and a decent climb rate. Double the weight of a fully loaded A6M, and definitely heaps faster to make up for it. This aircraft thrives with boom and zoom, and has a great energy retention at speed due to sleek aerodynamics. Inherently less stable than a normal tail plane thanks to a rear mounted engine push thrust configuration canard design, it is known for rapid pitch angle changes, great roll rate and less drag, by design. The flap system does not work in game currently however it enhances negative G two fold, at the cost of your speed. The aircraft is very prone to fires however, a single hit to the fuel tanks will result in an inextinguishable flame that will for sure be your demise.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The J7W1 Shinden has a maximum speed of 892 km/h (558 mph/485 kt) IAS (this is Vne speed - the absolute maximum speed). In a dive from service ceiling, a speed of mach 0.9 has been recorded and is sustained until IAS speed limit is reached. The aircraft can handle a max load of 11G and compresses rudder, pitch and roll at extremely high IAS speed in order of descending effect.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
|-
! rowspan="2" |Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 8,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
!Stock
| 723 || 703 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 31.5 || 32.2 || 15.3 || 15.3 || rowspan="2" | 650
|-
!Upgraded
| 779 || 750 || 28.6 || 30.0 || 23.0 || 18.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 498 || 469 || 320 || ~8 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 563 || < 560 || < 560 || > 314
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 8,400 m || 1,660 hp || 1,942 hp
|-
|}
[[File:J7W1 vario over altitude.png|thumb|]]
[[File:J7w1 power - altitude envelope.png|thumb]]

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
* 16 mm Steel plate in the nose, in front of ammo boxes and pilot

The J7W1 is protected by armour glass (70 mm) in front of pilot and steel armour plate (16 mm) in front of pilot in between guns. It is very prone to fires, and which are difficult to extinguish. Engine snipes are common, due to the position of the engine. Wing tip damage can increase the likelyhood of unrecoverable flat spins.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Type 5 navy (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 30 mm Type 5 navy cannons, nose-mounted (60 rpg = 240 total)

;Muzzle velocities

* Shells: HEF-T, PT, P: 910 m/s
* Shells: HEF-I, HEF: 720 m/s
* Tracer: 910 m/s
* All other belts: Mixed shell velocities, see above.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)
* 4 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (240 kg total)

== Usage in battles ==

The Shinden is a quick, pusher prop aircraft that excels in keeping its energy up after diving from a high altitude. It is able to climb up to a nice altitude above its opponents and strafe enemies either with a "boom and zoom" or "hit and run" strategy. The Shinden sports four excellent 30mm guns mounted in the nose making it infamous for its head on capabilities as they are easy to get on target but require a bit of aim control as the guns are low velocity, as long as you keep your speed high you will become a big threat to the enemy team. The Shinden is able to outrun a myriad of aircraft at its BR with some exceptions being the [[F8F-1B]] and the [[Spitfire F Mk XIVe|Spitfire F MK XIVe]] as they have more powerful engines. Enemy bombers such as the [[B-17G-60-VE]] are optimal targets as your main weapons are able to quickly rip through the bombers armor, heavy fighters such as the [[F7F-1]] or the [[Hornet Mk.III]] are targets you may often see at your altitude and make for great prey as they are large and aren't as agile as single engine fighters. As a Shinden pilot it is unwise to let the enemy get onto your six o'clock as you aren't likely to shake them due to the poor maneuverability and that the Shindens engine is mounted in the rear of the plane, meaning any enemy behind you can quickly take you out of the fight just with a few hits to the engine. Like a majority of the Japanese planes the Shinden lacks any armor to reliable stop bullets from damaging it, however there is a piece of bulletproof glass in the front of the planes cockpit that is 70 millmeters thick as well as a 16 millimeter steel plate in the nose, making head ons a reliable way to kill enemy aircraft as you do not have to worry about enemy bullets hitting your engine. It is highly recommended to avoid participating in dogfights in the Shinden as almost any single prop fighter at its BR will be able to out turn it so its ideal to stick to energy fighting. The Shinden also has access to 60 kg bombs that can destroy lightly armoured targets in mixed battles. In Simulator Battles the Shinden is one of a few planes which gain the ability to preform a "Cobra Maneuver" and also has the ability to throttle the fuel mixture throttle down enough to kill the engine and stop most engine fires and even some fuel tank fires that it is prone to receiving. Make sure to bring the Tracer Belt in most if not all scenarios as all the other belts have Practice Rounds.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Not controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Combined || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Pilot has some protection in the back from the engine.
* Competitive high speed turn rate
* Good roll rate
* Amazing pitch response
* 4 x 30 mm cannons make for some great offensive firepower.
* Great high speed and handling and dive.
* Since the engine and propeller are located in the rear, it is not likely to take damage or catch fire from shots landing at its front.

'''Cons:'''

* Slow sustained turn rate.
* High speed rudder suffers some compression
* Pilot more exposed at the front.
* Since the engine is located in the rear, it is especially vulnerable to enemies behind it.
* Shots to the front may damage its "tail" flaps.
* Armament may detonate
* Fuel tanks are easily flammable and do not self seal fully.

== History ==

The J7W1 Shinden (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") was an Imperial Japanese fighter of WWII that was built near the end of the war in an attempted response to the American B-29 Superfortress bombers. The aircraft used a canard wing formation, (canard wing formation refers to how the main wings are mounted at the rear of the fuselage and smaller wings are placed at the front. Similar to the Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender.) Like the Ascender, the J7W1 was never put into mass-production and was abandoned while still in the prototype stage.<ref>"Kyushu J7W1 Shinden (Magnificent Lightning)." ''National Air and Space Museum'', 18 Apr. 2019, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/kyushu-j7w1-shinden-magnificent-lightning.</ref>

Developed with the intention of intercepting heavy bombers, it was given 4 nose-mounted 30 mm cannons.

Development of the aircraft began in 1944, but shortages of manufacturing supplies continued to delay its development and testing and the first prototype wasn't completed until April 1945. The Navy placed high hopes in the new model and it was originally hoped that the Kyushu's Zasshonokuma factory and Nakajima's Handa plant would be able to produce over a thousand of the aircraft by 1947.

The prototype first flew on 3 August 1945 from Itazuke Air Base. The plane flew a total of three times, each time as a test flight before it was grounded permanently due to the Japanese surrender and end of the war.

Various parts of the Shinden survived the end of the war and its fuselage can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.<ref>"Kyushu J7W1/2 'Shinden.'" ''Kyushu J7W1/2 - Shinden'', tanks45.tripod.com/Jets45/Histories/Shinden/Shinden.htm.</ref>

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=j7w1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

{{Skin-gallery
|market|J7W1 "The Shark"|J7W1 'The Shark'.jpg|Camo "J7W1 'The Shark'"
|market|ugcitem_1000623|J7W1 '418'.png|Camo "J7W1 '418' in training livery"
}}

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|INb9VjLxKf0|'''Most unusual aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:25 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|6Cyq6xsiD70|'''(Arcade): {{PAGENAME}} Shinden - Magnificent Lightning''' - ''tx141TX''|yYMCtg6qa40|'''War Thunder Sub's Choice Ep 39: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''Jengar''|fphmndESyNU|'''The Shooting Range #60''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 07:06 discusses the J7W1.}}

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[XP-55]]
* [[J21 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4548-profile-j7w1-shinden-the-magnificent-lightning-en|[Profile] J7W1 Shinden - The magnificent lightning]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/202472-kyushu-j7w1/ [Forum<nowiki>]</nowiki> Aircraft Datasheet]
* [[wikipedia:Kyushu_J7W|[Wikipedia] Kyushu J7W]]

===References===
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Kyushu}}
{{Japan fighters}}